WORCESTER, Mass. — A group of local activists gathered to remember the thousands of Palestinian mothers, grandmothers, and children who have been killed since the start of the Israel- Hamas war.

Dozens met at Winslow Peace Park in Worcester on Sunday for drumming, kite-making and a speaking program. The event included voices from the Muslim and Jewish communities, calling for a ceasefire and for the U.S. to stop sending weapons to Israel.

People in attendance on Mother’s Day said the event was to draw attention to the loss of life in Gaza and to the mothers who are in sorrow.

"There are a lot of mothers who are grieving right now. Who are bearing untold, unbearable kinds of pain from having their children ... taken away from them,” said Amna Saeed-Kothe with Massachusetts Peace Action. "As a mother, I feel like I have to speak up."

"People can carry the kites that they have decorated and have an opportunity to sing and chant and to both celebrate caregivers and mothers, and also to grieve the loss of life and the devastation in Gaza together,” Allie Cislo said. 

The group also took to the street for a family-led march to Elm Park.